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Saturday, October 29, 2016

Chain Lakes, Pend Oreille County, Washington

Chain LakesThe name Chain Lakes sounds like there are a series of lakes chained together but in reality it is one lake with a narrow section that gives it the appearance of two lakes. The two wide lake like sections do not have separate names but the whole body of water is called the Chain Lakes. The lake is located in a deep canyon this is very remote in a sense but is home to a small community of homes. The State of WA. owns a small narrow piece of land that acts as the access point to this lake with small parking area and trail. The short trail is just wide enough to walk on and at times can be difficult to take your lightweight watercraft through due to all the high grass, bushes, etc. along the trail, plus you have to lift your boat over a fence that has a narrow opening to walk through. Trail also includes a short small narrow wooden bridge. The put-in site is a narrow muddy cut through the marsh. One enters from the landing into the eastern portion of the lake. This portion of the lake is 60 ft at its deepest and void of any milfoil, etc. due to its rocky bottom and depth. I found it a nice place to paddle or sail, and the scenery is awesome with the high canyon walls. When turning south and west from the access point you will enter a short milfoil infested channel to the western portion of the lake. There is a channel through the aquatic plant life that is quite beautiful. Once you enter this portion of lake it drops to a depth of 125 feet and it too has a rocky bottom and thus no aquatic plant life to deal with. Going west you will come to the outlet that you can paddle a short distance in, the water is clear and when I was there last I saw a lot of large trout swimming in the channel leading into the marsh. During high water times of the year this marsh area can appear to be a small lake but is very shallow and during the summer when the water is low it is not navigable. Fishing: Brook and Rainbow Trout, Kokanee. Directions:From the town of Camden on Camden/Diamond Rd., North .25 miles, right on Wilms Rd. 1.5 miles to bottom hill access on left. Maps: To view a map see printable map below or click on google.com/maps and type Chain Lakes, Pend Oreille County, WA. or type in GPS coordinates 48.059268, -117.209502

Chain Lakes LandingLanding site is just narrow enough for a kayak or canoe to launch from. During the rainy season the trail and launch is real muddy.

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Gravel, Dirt combo parking lot at access gate; PATHS/TRAILS... Narrow muddy trail to lakes, not accessible to wheeled mobility devices; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… None. Shade via trees; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… None. Launch off very steep bank via narrow trail; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; CAMPING... No; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Mud; H2O/Water: Water normally murky, but learn in spring and early summer. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. No drinking water available; Environmental Conditions: Varies; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Diamond Lake.